Bangladesh clinched the three-match ODI series with a dominating result of 2-1 against Pakistan. For the series, Pakistan's star batsman <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/photo/in-pics-indian-players-to-win-bcci-cricketer-of-the-year-award-most-times-ft-virat-kohli-110154" rel="nofollow">Babar Azam</a>. The reason behind his exclusion has led to confusion.
The confusion has been created by one of the selectors, head coach Mike Hesson and Babar himself, amid the debate if the former captain and star batter should have been excluded from the tour or not.
Earlier, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the squad for the Bangladesh tour without mentioning whether Babar and other senior players were dropped or rested.
Last Saturday, senior selector Aaqib Javed told the media that the selectors were informed that Babar and Fakhar Zaman were injured after the <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/suryakumar-yadav-opens-up-on-ishan-kishan-selection-for-t20-world-cup-2026-23621059" rel="nofollow">T20 World Cup</a>.
"It is a surprise for us and we have asked the PCB to probe into the matter and find out how they got injured after the World Cup and whether they played in the tournament fully fit or not," he said.
<h2>Sunrisers Leeds face criticism over acquisition of Pakistan's Abrar Ahmed</h2>
On the other hand, in The Hundred player auction, the Sunrisers Leeds became the first Indian-owned franchise to pick Pakistan cricketer <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/bcci-vice-president-rajeev-shukla-speaks-about-sunrisers-leeds-signing-of-abrar-ahmed-in-the-hundred-23620708" rel="nofollow">Abrar Ahmed</a>.
The franchise, which is owned by Chennai-based media conglomerate Sun Group, purchased his services for approximately Rs 2.34 crore.
The franchise also faced backlash following Abrar's signing, with the team's X account suspended briefly. It was suspended just hours after the team signed Abrar. The platform did not provide a precise explanation for it, but said "Account suspended" when trying to open it.
After Usman Tariq, who was acquired by Birmingham Phoenix for GBP 140,000 (about Rs 1.72 crore), Abrar was the second Pakistani player sold at the auction. However, the Phoenix franchise is not connected to the IPL and has American owners.
No franchise in the <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/ipl-2026-harbhajan-singh-wants-hardik-pandya-to-bring-his-a-game-in-upcoming-edition-23621084" rel="nofollow">Indian Premier League</a> (IPL) has signed any Pakistani player since 2009 due to strained relations between India and Pakistan.
Abrar's acquisition did not go down well with the fans, who reacted on the Sunrisers Leeds official X account. Several fans took to social media and criticised the Sunrisers franchise and the owner, Kavya Maran, for signing a Pakistani player amidst the ongoing tensions between the two nations.
(With PTI Inputs)

Earlier, PCB announced the squad for Bangladesh tour without mentioning whether Babar Azam and other senior players were dropped or rested

Confusion prevails over Pakistan`s stalwart batsman Babar Azam`s exclusion from Bangladesh tour

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Earlier, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the squad for the Bangladesh tour without mentioning whether Babar and other senior players were dropped or rested

Confusion prevails over Babar Azam's exclusion from Bangladesh tour

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